Drinks with a view: Bangkok’s stunning rooftop bars

11/09/2018TravelComments Off on Drinks with a view: Bangkok’s stunning rooftop bars

Bangkok is one of the most exciting cities in the world. It can also be one of the most exhausting. A day at street level can result in a sensory overload of humid heat, horrendous traffic and assaultive smells. If a traveler is on a beer budget, they can dip into one of the ubiquitous 7-Elevens and buy a pre-moistened cloth towel in the cooler compartment of the store. Those even slightly well-heeled have a more appealing option: They can board an elevator to one of the city’s rooftop bars. Bangkok has – perhaps out of necessity – made an art of these high-in-the-sky watering holes. Here is a handful of those most chill.

Lebua Skybar at lebua State Tower

The evening I ascended to the lebua Skybar, 63 floors above the city on the gold-domed lebua State Tower, I shared the elevator with a group of hip and sophisticated young Bangkokians. It was a preview of what awaited. Lebua Skybar is a thrilling experience of dramatic lighting effects, glass and steel décor, and what claims to be the best rooftop river views in the city. Skybar got an extra blast of attention when the bar was featured in the movie “The Hangover Part II.” If feeling adventurous, order a Hangovertini composed of scotch, Martini Rosso, apple juice, and Zen green tea liqueur, topped off with a sprig of rosemary. Lebua Skybar is a popular destination so at any given time it may be crowded. I found the glass stairway can be a little disorienting so a little extra attention when walking is recommended. The good vibes can be extended by taking dinner at lebua’s rooftop al fresco restaurant, Sirocco.

Moon Bar & Vertigo at Banyan Tree Bangkok

Banyan Tree’s resorts are famous for their Zen elegance. The Banyan Tree Bangkok, in the laid-back Sathon neighborhood of the city, is no exception. Its famous early-on-the-scene Moon Bar set the bar for rooftop experiences in the city. The property’s Moon Bar and Vertigo restaurant occupy the total space of the building’s top 61st floor. The elongated shape of the bar, with its unobstructed views, is often compared to that of a spaceship. Guests can also enjoy an al fresco rooftop meal at Vertigo, which has also given its name to one of Moon Bar’s signature cocktails, the Vertigo Sunset, a concoction utilizing Malibu Rum and a variety of fruit juices. Arrive before sunset to snag one of the prime seats on the bar’s sofas. Rainstorms will drive the action one floor below, so check the weather report before setting out. As humid and hot as Bangkok can get, don’t show up at Moon Bar and Vertigo in shorts and flip-flops. (This is actually good advice for visiting any of Bangkok’s stylish rooftop bars. Start with a baseline of smart casual and move up from there.)